Syd Barrett (Official Thread)

[chaosB4storm]

More influential than most people think. Discuss.

[chaosB4storm]

For those of you who didn't know, Syd Barrett is the original lead singer of Pink Floyd (but probably doesn't sing any Pink Floyd songs you are very familiar with unless you are a hardcore fan). He had a short but great solo career, releasing three albums I believe.

I recommend "Jugband Blues" by Pink Floyd to anyone interested in a starting point for this artist. It is a song about the true story of how he was kicked out of the band because of his psychological issues and visits to the psychiatric hospital.

[polock]

For those of you who didn't know, Syd Barrett is the original lead singer of Pink Floyd (but probably doesn't sing any Pink Floyd songs you are very familiar with unless you are a hardcore fan). He had a short but great solo career, releasing three albums I believe.

I recommend "Jugband Blues" by Pink Floyd to anyone interested in a starting point for this artist. It is a song about the true story of how he was kicked out of the band because of his psychological issues and visits to the psychiatric hospital.

yea i know

[polock]

i never listened to the stuff though

[chaosB4storm]

And if you're not a Pink Floyd fan, don't worry, it is really nothing like the Waters/Gilmour Pink Floyd era.

[Brokenhill]

"Please leave us here, close our eyes to the octopus ride..."

I'm liking both of his solo albums, though of course his PF material is much better.

[cinderandsmoke]

I loved the Madcap Laughs. Definitely more in my comfort zone than Pink Floyd.
Also, the cover is one of my all-time favorites:
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/3/39/Sydbarrett-madcaplaughs.jpg

[Brokenhill]

Yea, that whole shoot is great for that album.

I really like this one,
http://www.syd-barrett-trust.org.uk/shop/p7ssm_img_3/fullsize/Syd_Barrett_with_record_player_1969 _fs.jpg

[cinderandsmoke]

I've read that he was schizophrenic, and with TML, I really don't have any trouble believing it, haha. Good record, though.

[awakeohsleeper]

I miss Syd.

[Brokenhill]

I've read that he was schizophrenic, and with TML, I really don't have any trouble believing it, haha. Good record, though.

He was never actually diagnosed with a mental illness (though he was examined), he was just an interesting character that became even more interesting with the use of drugs and the effects of the music business.

[Brokenhill]

As much as it would have been awesome for Syd to either continue with PF or solo work, I respect him more with the choice he made to just mind his own for the rest of his life doing what he loved, making art for the sake of making art, not with any intent to sell it or to show it off.

[awakeohsleeper]

As much as it would have been awesome for Syd to either continue with PF or solo work, I respect him more with the choice he made to just mind his own for the rest of his life doing what he loved, making art for the sake of making art, not with any intent to sell it or to show it off.
Definitely agree with this.

I don't think any of Pink Floyd's later stuff matched that first album though. But that's just my own thoughts.

[cshadows2887]

Am I alone in thinking Floyd got better when Syd left. He might be a talente guy, but I think they made better music without eachother.

[Brokenhill]

Definitely agree with this.

I don't think any of Pink Floyd's later stuff matched that first album though. But that's just my own thoughts.
I still think 'The Wall' is the best thing written under the name Pink Floyd...just all the concepts, the story, the music, the composition, and pretty much everything is near perfect IMO. However, you don't get much more authentically creative than Syd; 'Piper' is definitely in my top 10 of all time.

Am I alone in thinking Floyd got better when Syd left. He might be a talented guy, but I think they made better music without eachother.

No you're not, most people either don't know Syd or don't really like early Pink Floyd's material.

[Juan Jose]

I'm a pretty avid listener of Pink Floyd and I'd say that Syd's work is better than the later Pink Floyd work, its way more accessible and fun to listen to. I like their later stuff but after awhile it seems too mellow and kinda drones on

[Brokenhill]

I'm a pretty avid listener of Pink Floyd and I'd say that Syd's work is better than the later Pink Floyd work, its way more accessible and fun to listen to. I like their later stuff but after awhile it seems too mellow and kinda drones on

More accessible isn't always better, what all have you heard of PF?

[bradnewman]

an effervescing elephant with tiny eyes and great big trunk once whispered to the tiny ear the ear of one infererior

[Brokenhill]

an effervescing elephant with tiny eyes and great big trunk once whispered to the tiny ear the ear of one infererior

I love that song.

[Juan Jose]

More accessible isn't always better, what all have you heard of PF?

That's true but if you think about it it was Syd's work that really brought them out into the spotlight, so without him Pink Floyd would have been unknown, it wasn't until DSOTM came out that they once again had the kind of success they did with Syd

P.S. i'm not sure what u were asking with the last part of your comment but I guess u were askn what I've heard from them. I have all their albums and I've listened to them all repeatedly.

[Brokenhill]

That's true but if you think about it it was Syd's work that really brought them out into the spotlight, so without him Pink Floyd would have been unknown, it wasn't until DSOTM came out that they once again had the kind of success they did with Syd

P.S. i'm not sure what u were asking with the last part of your comment but I guess u were askn what I've heard from them. I have all their albums and I've listened to them all repeatedly.
Oh I know, Syd IS Pink Floyd...he's the essence of Pink Floyd. But writing-wise, I believe that 'TDSOTM' and 'The Wall' are much much better. Syd's work was a lot more playful and a little childish (which is fantastic), but Roger surpasses Syd for composing and writing albums overall, what they're comprised of and how it all fits together. Oh and I don't mean to make Roger seem as the most important member, both Rick and David write incredible music, and they both came up with some great conceptual stuff and lyrics.

Yea I was just asking what all Pink Floyd you had heard. A lot of times I talk to people who don't have a well rounded knowledge of the band and/or haven't heard much of their discography...which is so vast, but you have and so I respect and completely understand your view on 'Piper'.

[ActorInThisPlay]

Am I alone in thinking Floyd got better when Syd left. He might be a talente guy, but I think they made better music without eachother.
no, I think they got better as well. I love the Syd stuff but it just doesn't compare to albums like DSOTM, Animals, WYWH, Meddle, and The Wall

[Brokenhill]

no, I think they got better as well. I love the Syd stuff but it just doesn't compare to albums like DSOTM, Animals, WYWH, Meddle, and The Wall

This, except I think overall 'Piper' is better than 'Meddle'.

[Juan Jose]

Yea I was just asking what all Pink Floyd you had heard. A lot of times I talk to people who don't have a well rounded knowledge of the band and/or haven't heard much of their discography...which is so vast, but you have and so I respect and completely understand your view on 'Piper'.

Yea I understand you're asking that. Most ppl only pay attention to the albums where Rogers Waters was in charge. I met a guy who seriously thought that DSOTM was their debut album.

[Brokenhill]

Yea I understand you're asking that. Most ppl only pay attention to the albums where Rogers Waters was in charge. I met a guy who seriously thought that DSOTM was their debut album.

Lol.

[T-bag]

Not Punk.

[Brokenhill]

My favorite from each album is "Long Gone" and "Maisie".

[mmmmmpoetry]

Definitely agree with this.

I don't think any of Pink Floyd's later stuff matched that first album though. But that's just my own thoughts.


truth

[Brokenhill]

Wouldn't you miss me at all...?